Info for Binge Eaters

[ny_shelly]

I have a very good book that addresses binge eating and gives some strategies for gaining control over it. Like any program you may not agree with all of it, but there are some very good ideas for how to avoid binges and to gain insight into why we binge.

Title: Overcoming Binge Eating
Author: Dr. Christopher Fairburn
ISBN: 0-89862-179-8

Contents
Part I
Binge Eating - The facts
Chapter 1: What is a Binge?
Chapter 2: Binge Eating, Eating Disorders, and Obesity
Chapter 3: Who Binges?
Chapter 4: Psychological and Social Problems Associated with Binge Eating
Chapter 5: Physical Problems Associated with Binge Eating
Chapter 6: Causes of Binge Eating Problems
Chapter 7: Binge Eating and Addiction
Chapter 8: Treatment of Binge Eating Problems

Part II
A Self-Help Program for Those Who Binge
Step 1: Getting Started
Step 2: Regular Eating
Step 3: Alternatives to Binge Eating
Step 4: Problem Solving and Taking Stock
Step 5: Dieting and Related Problems of Food Avoidance
Step 6: What's Next?

[Samantha42]

Originally Posted by ny_shelly

I have a very good book that addresses binge eating and gives some strategies for gaining control over it. Like any program you may not agree with all of it, but there are some very good ideas for how to avoid binges and to gain insight into why we binge.

Title: Overcoming Binge Eating
Author: Dr. Christopher Fairburn
ISBN: 0-89862-179-8

Contents
Part I
Binge Eating - The facts
Chapter 1: What is a Binge?
Chapter 2: Binge Eating, Eating Disorders, and Obesity
Chapter 3: Who Binges?
Chapter 4: Psychological and Social Problems Associated with Binge Eating
Chapter 5: Physical Problems Associated with Binge Eating
Chapter 6: Causes of Binge Eating Problems
Chapter 7: Binge Eating and Addiction
Chapter 8: Treatment of Binge Eating Problems

Part II
A Self-Help Program for Those Who Binge
Step 1: Getting Started
Step 2: Regular Eating
Step 3: Alternatives to Binge Eating
Step 4: Problem Solving and Taking Stock
Step 5: Dieting and Related Problems of Food Avoidance
Step 6: What's Next?

Sounds amazing! What kinds of advice does he give? What about reasons for bingeing? I generally don't agree with books that says it's all mental (boredom), since I believe it is also a physical addiction. What's his take?

[daisymaiz]

I read that book-he does not believe in carbohydrate cravings or that food can be an addiction. That pretty much turned me off to his plan, for me personally, though it might help others.

However I agree that there is a lot of good information in the beginning chapters-facts about binge eating and how common it is, what it does to the body etc.

[ny_shelly]

He doesn't blame just one thing. He explains that it's a complicated problem with many different things that contribute to why people binge. He explores many different reasons why it can happen and talks about "triggers" that start a binge.

What I find most helpful in the book is some of the steps he uses to prevent a binge. Most bingers know when one is coming - you can feel it. There's a panicky feeling and you can feel your mind starting to think about food - "what food will make this icky feeling go away?" That's my warning sign that I better do something quick or I'll be searching the kitchen for something to squish my feelings.

I don't agree with some of his opinions - for example he believes it's not good to avoid certain foods - for me that would be deadly. BUT for some people it is a good idea. I had a friend that used the method of eating as much of a forbidden food until she was sick of it and she absolutely stopped bingeing.

Learning some of the techniques helped me even though I don't follow the book 100%.

[ny_shelly]

I agree with you Daisy - I don't agree with that part of the book either. But I did get some good ideas for preventing a binge. I understand exactly what you're talking about.

[TexasKitKat]

I am living proof that binge eating can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the body. For years I tried to figure out what deep dark psychological problem was causing it but couldn't stop. Then last year I started on shots of Byetta, a new drug for diabetics one side effect of which is appetite suppressant in the brain. Voila! No more binging! What a relief it was to realize I was not crazy, neurotic, etc. I merely had too much appetite stimulant in my brain.

This is related to serotonin issues of which I have also had many. Still working out the details but definitely found out binge eating CAN be merely physically caused.

[AnDee]

[COLOR="Navy"]I actually went to the local university to be part of a binge eating study. It was very helpful, but not easy. It's part of their eating disorder clinic and I just happened to call one day because my binge eating was soooooooooo out of control and they asked if I would be part of the study. At first they wanted me to follow their lower calorie, higher carb woe, but I told them I could only follow a lower carb woe. Thankfully, that was okay with them. It did give me some good insights into what I was doing, but I still struggled with trying not to eat compulsively or binge.

For someone writing a book about binge eating how could they not understand the relation between craving carbs and how that it's a physical condition. Yes, some of it's mental, but refined carbs are a powerful drug. I used to fall asleep on the sofa in a haze after eating tons of refined carbs (no need to list'em all here). I was so over the edge that went from just being glucose intolerant to being a full-blown diabetic from not being able to stop eating refined carbs. Being a compulsive binge eater made it all happen.
This time out I was desparate and decided to go back to hypnosis. I was able to have the hypnotist reinforce all the things I needed to succeed to beat the cravings for carbs. I have been much better since last Thanksgiving and I am no longer tempted by all the foods that people bring into work as treats on a daily basis or for birthdays. I even had the hypnotist reinforce a suggestion about not paying attention to fast food restaurants (I used to stop for something to eat even before going home to eat dinner - yes, I was out of control!).

Most bingers know when one is coming - you can feel it. There's a panicky feeling and you can feel your mind starting to think about food

This part is a 100% true. I also had the hyponotist help get rid of the triggers that set me off. One minute I could be okay, eating lc and then five minutes later I would be in a bakery buying a box of assorted pastries and be able to finish them off in another 10 mintues. I was a sick, sick lady. For today I'm not bingeing and very grateful for each day that I don't have carb cravings and don't binge. I hope this is something that will part of my past and not define my future.

Anne

Chapter 7: Binge Eating and Addiction....at least he sees it as an addiction.[/COLOR]

[daisymaiz]

Originally Posted by AnneSD

[COLOR="Navy"]
Chapter 7: Binge Eating and Addiction....at least he sees it as an addiction.[/COLOR]

He doesn't though....that's the title of the chapter, but if you read it, the whole chapter is about explaining why he feels the addiction model is a "myth."

[AnDee]

[COLOR="Navy"] Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............. don't like hearing he thinks it's a myth. He must be from another planet! [/COLOR]

[daisymaiz]

I'm reading a book now called "Why Can't I Stop Eating?" by Debbie Danowski and Pedro Lazaro MD. I am liking it better than the other one, they address it as an addiction and talk about both the physical and psychological aspects.

I'm not convinced by their food plan either though, I haven't really gotten to that part yet but peeked ahead and saw that they do advocate lower carb, but that part of their plan is to eat a bowl of cereal in the evening!! Again, that might be fine for some, but I binge like crazy on cereal. Even if it's sugarless. So, I won't be following that plan but there are other good suggestions in the book about journaling and what to journal about. I might try that.

[daisymaiz]

Originally Posted by AnneSD

[COLOR="Navy"] Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............. don't like hearing he thinks it's a myth. He must be from another planet! [/COLOR]

Yeah...that's really the part that turned me off. I thought the title of that chapter was a little misleading.
It really did surprise me, because up to that point he did seem to have a good understanding of binge eating.

[seejay]

I got better from a 40 year binge habit and anyone who doesn't know it's physical, has not been reading the research. Is this guy a behavioral psychologist by any chance? They are often most threatened that it could be fixed physically and not need all those behavioral tricks. When I quit I didn't even need em.

I used the Radiant Recovery program which also uses a carb at night (potato in that case). The very idea often scares low-carb people to death. (I was scared at first).

But in reality, it raises the serotonin that has been depressed by years of carb overdosing. Even when you quit bingeing, you are left with low serotonin. That's why so many medicines that target serotonin help to calm binges - but they are just a band-aid. They treat low serotonin but don't raise it.

When I raised serotonin through RR I only used two golf-ball-sized baby reds, and only for 3 months. That's like 6-8 carbs! And in return, I got my impulse control back, calm mood, even happy, no more depression, my sleep came back, then dreams in black and white, then dreams in color! it was marvelous.

The way it works in that program: you have 3 meals a day with rest times in between. Adequate protein, greens, good fats, some slow carbs. Then when you have the carb alone, it provides a very specific timed insulin rise that works to help tryptohan cross the blood-brain barrier, and help make new serotonin while you sleep.

I think it's so much better than antidepressants it's not even funny.

And that is just the serotonin piece. Other physical systems that need healing for bingers are, unstable blood sugar and upregulated beta-endorphin.

Whatever book or program you read nowadays, I think it's the smart thing to learn about the physiology around carbs, especially neurotransmitters. It's a huge new area.

[Samantha42]

Originally Posted by ny_shelly

Most bingers know when one is coming - you can feel it. There's a panicky feeling and you can feel your mind starting to think about food - "what food will make this icky feeling go away?"

Man do I know that feeling

It's like the world is on pause and all I can do is think about, plan, and execute a binge. I had this feeling 2 nights ago (I wrote about it in my journal, link below) and I was in sheer panic mode. I wanted to binge eat on yogurt. I had a protein shake and went to bed, but the desire to binge never went away and tonight I went and bought yogurt & walnuts-- had 2.5 servings. So not really a binge, but I had that panic urge to go to the store at all cost--- as though if I didn't I would spontaneously combust or something. It's like I don't even think clearly... all I do is respond to a physical phenemonon that's going on with my body. Every day feels like a battle in some way.

My only savior has been deep deep ketosis.

[daisymaiz]

Originally Posted by ny_shelly

What I find most helpful in the book is some of the steps he uses to prevent a binge. Most bingers know when one is coming - you can feel it. There's a panicky feeling and you can feel your mind starting to think about food - "what food will make this icky feeling go away?" That's my warning sign that I better do something quick or I'll be searching the kitchen for something to squish my feelings.

Learning some of the techniques helped me even though I don't follow the book 100%.

OK now I am thinking I should reread that part. I just read my last post and thought "wow, there is my all-or-nothing thinking again!"
you know? bad chapter = bad book?

[daisymaiz]

Seejay, you're right, that potato idea does scare me to death, but I think maybe I will look into that one too.
Cereal, that just isn't going to happen, but potatoes I haven't had big problems with. I like them but have never really craved or binged on them. As long as I didn't try to eat them in the form of chips I would probably be OK.

[Jamie]

Thanks for sharing that with us.....I do think that there are emotional and physical components to binging. If I stay full and do not let myself get hungry (physical) I am much much likely to binge. I need to start listening to my warning signs ie when I am wandering around the kitchen and that feeling starts. Same with when I am out in the car. My binging is defintely much worse when 1) I am not eating LC or 2) I let myself get physically hungry or have not eaten in a long time.

I wish you much success in beating the binge monster!

[mycattaz]

I know that carb like wheat,sugar, things like that have a affect on me...

And when I am doing Atkins like I am suppose to, my life get so much easier, craving go away, not as hungry, don't obsesses over food as much....

but, If I was to eat chocolate, or just a piece of toast with butter and jelly, it would send me off the deep track.... I would be craving all day long and then have a hard till getting back on atkins....

My brother also noticed this, after doing atkins for alittle while and ate something he was not suppose to... then he got off track... this time he has been on atkins for 2 1/2 years and he said from the begining if it was not on the program, then he wasn't going to eat it... and he has done wonderful... dropping from 550 to 320... I know he is not the only one... we see it all the time of these boards....

[pegster_23]

hello everyone! I've read all of your postings and they ring too many bells. ( I too have seriously considered consulting a hypnotist, and have even wondered if listening to tapes demoting food while I'm asleep would cure my binging whoes) But unlike all of you ( I think) I have been at the both ends of the dieting spectrum, and was diagnosed with anerexic nervosa while doing the Atkins diet. Thin isn't everything, I know that now, but being overweight is terrible too. In a futile attempt to undo my dieting past, I have binged myself into obesity. I am now 5'9/ 230 Ibs, and am desperately trying to do " the Zone " . Something is different this time though, I have lost all conviction to eat proportioned meals and "stick with it". Its a bit of a pickle when everyone around you is afraid to let you diet, yet the pounds keep piling on. I'm really glad to have found this website though. All eating disorders, (or, as potentially everyone on this page has, "Disordered Eating"- a slight variation) are rooted deep in within ourselves. It is not the weight that we hold on to, or desperately try to lose, but some form of inner pain. Hopefully discussing our dissapointments and dieting dilemas will allow us all to find a healthy lifestyle and a fresh outlook on life.

- signed and sealed at 17

[Denise85]

Read Intuitive Eating. I had a severe eating disorder, and my nutitionist and therapist highly recommended it. Many ED therapists are using it now for their patients.

[Ophelia]

Originally Posted by seejay

I got better from a 40 year binge habit and anyone who doesn't know it's physical, has not been reading the research. Is this guy a behavioral psychologist by any chance? They are often most threatened that it could be fixed physically and not need all those behavioral tricks. When I quit I didn't even need em.

I used the Radiant Recovery program which also uses a carb at night (potato in that case). The very idea often scares low-carb people to death. (I was scared at first).

But in reality, it raises the serotonin that has been depressed by years of carb overdosing. Even when you quit bingeing, you are left with low serotonin. That's why so many medicines that target serotonin help to calm binges - but they are just a band-aid. They treat low serotonin but don't raise it.

When I raised serotonin through RR I only used two golf-ball-sized baby reds, and only for 3 months. That's like 6-8 carbs! And in return, I got my impulse control back, calm mood, even happy, no more depression, my sleep came back, then dreams in black and white, then dreams in color! it was marvelous.

The way it works in that program: you have 3 meals a day with rest times in between. Adequate protein, greens, good fats, some slow carbs. Then when you have the carb alone, it provides a very specific timed insulin rise that works to help tryptohan cross the blood-brain barrier, and help make new serotonin while you sleep.

I think it's so much better than antidepressants it's not even funny.

And that is just the serotonin piece. Other physical systems that need healing for bingers are, unstable blood sugar and upregulated beta-endorphin.

Whatever book or program you read nowadays, I think it's the smart thing to learn about the physiology around carbs, especially neurotransmitters. It's a huge new area.

This sounds fascinating. Where can I learn more about it?

Ophelia

[seejay]

Originally Posted by pegster_23

It is not the weight that we hold on to, or desperately try to lose, but some form of inner pain. Hopefully discussing our dissapointments and dieting dilemas will allow us all to find a healthy lifestyle and a fresh outlook on life.

- signed and sealed at 17

In our experience at radiantrecovery.com, 95% of it is physical, and when you quit eating "white powder" foods (like white powder drugs, get it, wink wink nudge) most of the angst goes away by itself. In other words, it's what you're eating, not what's eating you. That includes white sugar, white flour, white artificial intense sweets (splenda), additives for distorting taste, etc.

For example: sugar evokes beta-endorphin in a spiking way. Later, that spike turns into a drop, just the same way a sugar hit will later lead to a blood sugar drop.

From Dr. DesMaison, under the links for "sugar sensitivity" :

Having low beta-endorphin means:

• Feeling tearful, isolated, depressed, and hopeless

• Having low self-esteem

• Feeling "done to" by others

• Having a low tolerance for pain (emotional and physical)

• Feeling emotionally overwhelmed

• Craving sweets

The task for healing is to increase levels of beta endorphin without spiking or using. The program will teach you this.

Imagine, just junk food can make some of us weepy, depressed, and hopeless.

Now, some of us will have issues that are good for therapists to help with. But after the food is cleaned up, two things are better - one, the issues are more clear and usually just a couple, and two, the therapy goes really fast. At least that has been our collective experience over there.

This sounds fascinating. Where can I learn more about it?
Ophelia

radiantrecovery.com
Enjoy!

[pegster_23]

dear seejay, I'm afraid that we are going to have to agree to disagree. For six months I ate simply meat and green vegetables, and I was not only completely depressed, but I would bing on these foods if I gave myself the chance.
Dieting for most people has very little to do with their actual weight, but how they percieve themselves. Many people are ashamed of their bodies, and feel that they are not good enough. Not everyone falls into this mold though, and some people need to lose weight for health reasons. For everyone on a diet out there let me say two things:
firstly, ask yourself who you are dieting for, and if the answer is not " for me ", then maybe reavaluate.

secondly, know that it takes inner strength to build outer strength (especially for all you fitness guru's out there)

But I do agree that some binges are simply due to low blood sugar levels, and that what your saying could also be valid

[seejay]

Originally Posted by pegster_23

dear seejay, I'm afraid that we are going to have to agree to disagree. For six months I ate simply meat and green vegetables, and I was not only completely depressed, but I would bing on these foods if I gave myself the chance.

Okay, we can agree to disagree...

A data point though. For bingers who fit the description of "sugar sensitive" as DesMaisons describe it, a diet of meat and green vegetables gives the same predictable result you got. The working theory is that this diet can't fix the low serotonin state that was set up by bingeing, because there is no carb-generated insulin rise. So with low serotonin, along comes depression and bingeing.

Dieting for most people has very little to do with their actual weight, but how they percieve themselves.

Well here is the the thing. "white powder" foods change the way we perceive things. (By white powder foods I mean any food that is made from white powder ingredients - white flour, sugar and sugar workalikes, flavor intensifiers, fake thickeners, additives)

Sugar, as an opiod, gives a high and then a crash of withdrawal. During withdrawal is when we think we're fat, the loser of all time, no one loves us, go out in the garden and eat worms. This depth of low self-esteem does NOT happen without the whites! It's like the whites are "awful-izers" making challenging things much, much worse than they really are.

Many people are ashamed of their bodies, and feel that they are not good enough.

Some of that is actually produced by sugar. We call it "sugar feelings." Low self-esteem is a documented effect of low beta-endorphin or withdrawal.

Not everyone falls into this mold though, and some people need to lose
weight for health reasons.

Very true!!! Everyone's issues are a different mix. Not everyone is "sugar sensitive" either.

secondly, know that it takes inner strength to build outer strength (especially for all you fitness guru's out there)

Agreed. And one can only build physical and emotional strength with good food, the building blocks. Strength is not possible from a malnourished state whether it's from starving, bingeing, poverty or whatever.

But I do agree that some binges are simply due to low blood sugar levels, and that what your saying could also be valid

Agreed; also low levels of neurochemicals. Serotonin in particular means depression and no impulse control and no "off" switch. This is in the research not just DesMaisons' theory.